Open mike 30/10/13

Written By: - Date published: 7:14 am, October 30th, 2013 - 88 comments
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openmike

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step right up to the mike…

88 comments on “Open mike 30/10/13 ”

  1. amirite 1

    Child poverty affects brain development – study
    http://tinyurl.com/kllftqx

    • greywarbler 1.1

      Parent poverty affects the ability of teenagers with disabilities receiving some assistance when sitting exams. This is having reader-writers, extended time etc.
      Money makes the difference – they have to be assessed by a child pychologist and it costs between $400 and $900. The exam people have made it harder of recent years. I have forgotten their acronym, the ones who run the system that is wonderful, not like awful old school certificate with moveable pass marks.

      Analysed there were 4 from the lowest decile who received such help, and there were hundreds in the top. Maybe thousands. A lot. This is particularly to assess people with dyslexia apparently. On 9 to Noon today early.

  2. ew..!

    ..len ‘down-trou’-brown just played the ‘god-card’..on tvone breakfast..

    ..(i am having a cynicism o..d.-here..!..i’d better listen to some ‘uplifting’-music..or something..)

    ..so that’s it then..

    ..’down-trou’ brown..

    ..has played his last card..

    ..and now we all wait to see if there is the ‘more’ that has been promised/threatened..

    ..but really len…the ‘god-card’..?

    ..whoar..!

    ..eh..?

    ..what’s next..?

    ..’it wasn’t my fault..god told me to down-trou..!..

    ..and ravish that maiden..

    ..in that maori-room..”

    ..eh..?

    phillip ure..

  3. vto 3

    Key really has started believing his own bullshit

    http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8746762/us-didnt-spy-on-nz-key-says

    ha ha ha ha ha funniest thing in ages

    what a clown

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1

      Mr Key said he didn’t know anything about the NSA’s activities.

      “I read the papers like everyone else, it’s a matter for the US to manage and it’s not a matter for me.”

      Actually, it is a matter for him as he’s supposed to be protecting NZers from such surveillance…

      Oh, wait, he just ensured that we could be surveilled.

  4. tricledrown 4

    Key is so confident because the GSCB is doing it for the NSA.

  5. mickysavage 5

    If you never thought that you may read a column by Bob Jones that you agree with well here is a pleasant surprise …

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11147698

    Some highlights:

    About Len Brown and his affair:

    It will soon be forgotten but what will not is the nasty coterie from the city’s political right behind it all. Their glorified pie-cart proprietor candidate can forget future mayoral attempts.

    About John Banks and his fall from power:

    John Banks is a classic example. Once a Cabinet minister, then Auckland’s mayor, he never knew when to call it a day and seek something different. Thus his career will end in ignominy over ridiculous falsehoods. His story of not looking at what he signed is utterly plausible. On the occasions I go to the office, there’s often dozens of papers with yellow signature stickers waiting. I rip through signing the lot with no idea what they are but as they emanate from solicitors, accountants and management I rely on their appropriateness. But John’s plausible denial of not reading the form became implausible once he unnecessarily added he couldn’t recall a helicopter ride to meet the country’s most conspicuous man in a giant mansion and receive $50,000.

    About Tony Blair:

    A classic example of Powell’s adage is Tony Blair. Held in huge esteem, he destroyed it all with a blatantly dishonest dossier justifying lap-dogging the Bush buffoon into Iraq.

    Maybe Jones is trying to atone for his last train crash of a column.

    • bad12 5.1

      Yeah MS, i usually ignore Jones but looked today and have to hand it to Bob for at least once a decade saying it like it actually is…

    • Murray Olsen 5.2

      I blame the stopped clock syndrome. I think Bob Jones’s clock stopped about 1962, but is still right twice a day.

  6. tricledrown 6

    Huffongton post today 15 things you ought to know about the US.
    Like child birth deaths amongst the highest in the world.
    Pricr paid for medicine highest in the world.
    Education the US pays more than any other country per head of poulation with the worst out comes.

  7. vto 7

    It is astounding how people’s thinking goes out the window when house values rise …

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9339557/More-think-NZs-on-the-right-track-poll

  8. BLiP 8

    A great slice of life drama last night with the swearing in of the Auckland Council governing body. A few of the city’s knobs were there in all their finery, a smattering of corpulent CCO mandarins, family and distinguished guests, with the rest of the place packed out with us hoi polloi. Some fringe dwellers from the Mana party were there for additional entertainment, although someone should tell them the best heckling involves humour rather than bile. Their barracking gradually diminished before being completely extinguished when Len Brown fronted up to his city and was welcomed with a sustained ovation; an ovation directed to him personally but also in recognition of his family’s dignified attendance.

    Its great to see Auckland getting back to the job of being Auckland. Not very happy with the Tory influence in council and its role in such important positions. Still, gotta say, George has done some good things out South so, well, I guess, I dunno okay then, give him a go. Webster is still a worry, though. Mike Lee seems the obvious and best choice for that new “Infastructure” committee. I like how it indicates a trend towards strengthening and consolidating of reporting lines from the generally unaccountable CCOs, especially that bunch of crims over in Transport. It’s gotta be tricky handing out the various chairs, portfolios, and so on, but every one looked happy enough. Everyone except poor widdle Cameron Brewer who’s brave face on-stage was only given away with an occasionally quivering bottom lip. He now has special responsibility for exactly nothing which, I guess, is what happens when your best friends are dirty disgusting despicable people doing dirty disgusting despicable things.

    Speaking to a few of my elected representatives afterwards, I did detect an air of forgiveness. Len is on two strikes now so he’s got no choice, really, but to deliver his best effort. Brewer will, no doubt, slime his way back into some sort of favour, but he’s been tainted by the company he keeps as well as his support for the National Party’s attempt to corrupt the political process by exporting John Key’s mountain of sleaze and lies from the Beehive to the town hall. Hopefully, lessons have been learned on both sides and there’s now a realisation that time to focus on delivering positive results to all of Auckland has arrived. If the councillors and Mayor live up to the promise I heard them make last night, I’ll be happy.

    [lprent: Guest posted that. ]

    • tinfoilhat 8.1

      “If the councillors and Mayor live up to the promise I heard them make last night, I’ll be happy.”

      How naive can you be ? Len Brown is an embarrassment to himself and Auckland, nothing will change the city will still be run and controlled by over paid morons, their assorted cronies and the elites behind them pulling the strings.

      …. edit .. moderation… what naughty word did I use ?

      [lprent: Beats me. Akismet appears more vigilant than ever after the attacks of spam over past weeks and Monday’s spasm of auto-spam after they upgraded their algorithms. ]

      • BLiP 8.1.1

        Len Brown’s foolish behaviour has had an odd but positive effect. The John Key-led National Party’s injection of sleaze in an attempt to create a divide based on faux moral outrage has, as it turns out, given Auckland a chance to demonstrate that, collectively, its people are above such adolscent prurience. Many of those who didn’t support Len, do so now, on principle. Those who continue to see the situation as an embarassment can carry on giggling behind the bike sheds, the rest of us will smile benignly and nod hello while wondering which province you came from.

        I accept that, today, Auckland is being run by bunch of overpaid white trash baldheads on the jobs-for-the-lads gravy train. However, I don’t accept that situation is a permanent one. The CCOs can be brought into line with the needs of all Aucklanders, and not just their corporate mates. In fact, if the councillors and the Mayor live up to the promise they made last night, that will happen and, as I said, I will be happy. Perhaps its a big “if” but I prefer an optimistic outlook these days. An acidic fatalistic cynicism, such as yours, is just what the elites want you to have. The whole “its useless” and “they’re all the same” and “government is just a sham” paradigm is that which enables banksters like John Key to get away with his “Solid Energy would be fine if it was a private company” spin. Buy into it, if you must, surrender your rights as a citizen in return for the false consciousness of the consumer but, really, its not going to deliver what you think it will.

        • tinfoilhat 8.1.1.1

          No I think you’re mistaken, what the elites want to have is the current faux left right divide at a local level like Auckland or in Wellington this keeps them and their mates sitting pretty while useful idiots wave the flag for team red or team blue.

          Nothing will change until we have a strong green or mana block leading Auckland or the country.

          • McFlock 8.1.1.1.1

            I smiled at the red/blue=pointless, green=good thing. It sounded too close to the Dickensian “Boodle and Coodle are driving the country to ruin, but Doodle is the one to lead us”…

            I reckon that at worst the tories have a tiered paradigm of defense, in descending order of preference:
            a population focused on kim kardashian singing on x-survivor
            a population focused on the sexcapades of politicians
            a population focused on which politician has the nicest hair
            a population focused on neoliberal policies
            a population focused on real-world injustice and inequality

  9. Sanctuary 9

    I see the usual suspect (Farrar, Jordan Williams) are launching yet another right wing astroturf ACT-in-another-name organisation.

    Really, how irrelevant can you be? David Farrar was part of Shipley’s appalling administration, he clings to failed 1980s dogma, and clearly learns nothing and forgets nothing, while Jordan Williams is just Simon Lusk lite, principally known for for being the failure behind the anti-MMP campaign, for which he got pleanty of money for not a lot of return.

  10. Rogue Trooper 11

    Collins on Justice in Ontario, oops, China
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11148305
    (according to recent BBC commentary, Justice in China is “of the Party, by the Party, for the Party”).

  11. Rogue Trooper 12

    “the goofball antics of Dr [Jonathan] Coleman”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11148347
    and his lack of concern over privacy in NZ

    • ianmac 13.1

      Thanks Matthew. An excellent easily understood set of answers and delivered with clarity and confidence. David Cunliffe for PM! Yay!

      • Bob 13.1.1

        Hmm, did you actually listen to his answers or just hear them?
        “They’ve barely broken even by the time they’ve taken the lost dividends”
        Really? $1.8B on the sale, $120M cost of sale, so $1.68B nett. Dividends for 2012 were $244.6M, if these continued (big IF based on the Labour/Greens power policy which is set to rip the arse out of power profits), they would still recieve $124.75M/year leaving $119.85M lost dividend. So yes, in 14 years time they will have barely broken even, but until that point Cunliffe sounds like an idiot.
        Secondly, “the number of Kiwis that own Meridian has gone down from 100 percent to barely 2 percent”…..really? The Government still owns 51% so that means by his maths, 100% of Kiwi’s still own Meridian, the just own half as much. This doesn’t take into account the fact that ACC, the Cullen Fund and Kiwisaver providers would all have bought into Meridian meaning an even higher share for Kiwi’s.

        If you ask me, Cunliffe come out of that looking like an uninformed idiot that can’t do basic maths!

        • Rogue Trooper 13.1.1.1

          interestingly, BBC World covered findings yesterday, that despite falling wholesale electricity prices in the UK, the powerco’s are reaming as much profit as the market can sustain.

    • Chooky 13.2

      Matthew +1 …thanks for that ….Cunliffe is great!

      …I think the Labour Party , as well as selling itself as the socially just and caring Party, should also sell itself as the Party best for BUSINESS….because the MYTH amongst common men is still out there that the National Party is the business party and Labour is not.( This MYTH makes National seem the winner and Labour the Party for losers)

      In fact Labour and the Greens both need to emphasize how they support Business better than National does ie

      * research and development
      * intraprepreneurial start up companies
      * IT companies and the IT industry , which is rapidly becoming NZ’s biggest export earner ( even surpassing dairying)
      * export led economy
      * self-sufficiency…economics and full employment objectives

      …and how the National Party has undermined NZ businesses/entrepreneurial start ups, an export led economy….and just plundered the family silver ( sale of State Owned Assets)

      (btw…i am not trying to tell the Labour chooks how to suck eggs…merely giving my opinion based on feedback I have received regarding the MYTH of National as being the pro-business Party and Labour not)

  12. Bruce Ellis 14

    Lest we forget – finally watched “Beneath the Shroud” last night. This was a sobering reminder of the extent that our so called public servants (especially politicians and the surveillance agencies) go to when supposedly protecting our best interests. Ahmed Zaoui’s trials and tribulations were a wake up call to us all – and the likelihood of history repeating itself , or even worse, now seems even worse with the passing of the recent legislation re GCSB. This should be compulsory viewing for all Labour/Green MP’s as they work to put in place more appropriate legislation and monitoring oversight when they are elected next year.

    I continue to shake my head about New Zealand when we can’t learn from good practice from overseas, such as in the oversight of our security services (or even in lowering the blood alcohol levels for drivers.

  13. Mark 15

    I am very surprised at the lack of scrunity of the American mining company Andarko. Their record in America is truly apalling, yet they seem to be getting a free pass from the media here in the run up to deep sea drilling starting shortly . Contrary to what Andarko say,they were found to be culpable in the Gulf of Mexico disaster. They were involved in all the decision making around the structure and the failures that lead from those decisions. Not to mention the numerous law suits they are fighting at the moment from both the US government and communities. One of these is for 25 Billion alone. And what is their liability if there is a spill here. $10.000.000 total. What a joke. This company is a disaster waiting to happen and our government has rolled out the welcome mat for them.

  14. captain hook 16

    1. congrats to Len Brown. he makes the knuckledraggers choke on their self righteousness.
    2. what about the bees. The NZ economy is based on botanical fertility but all the idiotes are out every night sneaking around in the twilight with ttheir spray and wipe away busy killing everything.
    why isn’t someobdoy doing something about this indiscriminate poisoning of our country.
    3. Production was they key at fonterra but all the rugged individualists were so busy arguing about the $7,500 cost for botulism testing that the ignoramuses nearly sunk the whole deal.
    what the fuck is wrong with this country?

  15. rich the other 17

    It just keeps getting better.
    Work on Transmission gully will start next year, the poisonous greens have tried to stop it as they have tried to stop most things that are beneficial to all of us.
    The remarkable thing is how labour continues to conspire with them , they are very slow learners.
    What a great job National is doing.

    [lprent: Banned for a week for stupid trolling. If you want to comment here then let the blood rush to your actual brain rather than being a simple dickhead spraying graffiti. Read the policy.

    Updated in reply to your comment: You made assertions stated as fact and your ‘explanation’ is simply stupid. FFS Winston works with National – Key even commented on it a month ago, National works with the Greens – they even had a memorandum of agreement in the last term, etc etc. Of course Labour works with the Greens. Labour has even worked with National. Coming out with that basic of parliamentary politics as if it was a revelation really does place you at the bottom of the pile in understanding politics.

    Adding an extra week to your ban for having to point out the frigging obvious. And you obviously need it to catch up on how politics works before you can become a better troll. ]

    • mikesh 17.1

      Having acquired some dosh by foolishly selling assets, the Nats proceed to squander it on white elephants.

    • thatguynz 17.2

      You’re a try-hard fucktard mate. How much is being spent to provide a road with a terrible ROI ratio when traffic volumes are going down?

      Your economic ignorance surprises noone..

  16. karol 18

    So, Obama’s man for Wellington Embassy: ex baseball player, ex-Lehmann Bros, ex-Goldman Sachs…. seriously!

    A former professional baseball player and financial high flier has been nominated Ambassador to New Zealand by United States President Barack Obama.

    Mark Gilbert is a Director at Barclays Wealth, formerly Lehman Brothers, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

    The nomination was announced in a statement from the White House today.

    Gilbert replaces David Huebner, who was an Obama nominee in the president’s first term.

    Previously, Gilbert was the Senior Vice President of Goldman Sachs in Miami fand the Senior Vice President Sales Manager of Drexel Burnham Lambert in Boca Raton from 1986 to 1989.

    • Tat Loo (CV) 18.1

      Yep, simply beggars belief. Notice how no CxO level or Board level execs from any of the big banks have been prosecuted over the GFC. The message is clear – the rules apply to us, not to them.

    • Chooky 18.2

      @ karol…how diplomatic and subtle is this?…looks more like the the scoping advance guard of a corporate raid

  17. Paul 20

    Why do I keep listening to Jim Mora’s programme?
    Jordan Maxwell..another special guest.

  18. Pascal's bookie 21

    Palino is going on Campbell Live tonight, in case ya’ll wanna watch a train wreck.

    • TheContrarian 21.1

      I’d be keen on seeing that

    • Te Reo Putake 21.2

      It may have just been the camera angle, but that man looked awful guilty.

      ps, since when is Slater a journalist?

      • TheContrarian 21.2.1

        I don’t know – was a pretty shit ‘interview’. To establish his looking guilty I’d rather see him front up as opposed to being stalked outside a post office

        • Pascal's bookie 21.2.1.1

          Agree. But he’s not going to front. So you know. Makes your mind up.

          • TheContrarian 21.2.1.1.1

            I have no personal animosity towards Americans but his voice had that whinny Woody Allen like intonation which grates my nerves.

  19. Morrissey 22

    LEST WE FORGET
    This is why they’re persecuting him….

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bUoJnPYFMw

  20. chris73 23

    “Tony Blair said MPs should work normal jobs before entering politics to give them a better overview of how the world works.”

    – Many may not agree with his views on a lot of things but this seems sensible

    • Morrissey 23.1

      Many people say Tony Blair should be in prison for the rest of his life. Why are you approvingly quoting a disgusting, discredited war criminal?

    • Pascal's bookie 23.2

      I agree with that. We tried a currency trader and that’s been pretty shit.

      • chris73 23.2.1

        The problem is who to replace him with…Judith Collins maybe

        • TheContrarian 23.2.1.1

          To your first statement about working normal jobs I’d say agree.

          To your second regarding Collins, that’d be all types of awful. Besides – I’d wager she’s totally unelectable.

          • Pascal's bookie 23.2.1.1.1

            “I’d wager she’s totally unelectable.”

            I think so too. She’s been in parliament for quite a while, still can;t get through speech well without reading it. Has impulse issues.

            I’d actually back Shearer against her in a live debate, ffs.

            She’d go toxic, and do that fake laugh thing she does.

            • TheContrarian 23.2.1.1.1.1

              I just find her very grating and, like you say, very awkward in public speaking. John Key is a smooth political operator whereas Collins is like sandpaper.

              • chris73

                Ok so you don’t agree with JC (and fair enough) but you agree that politicians should have normal job experiences, I guess the question is how to bring that about because I don’t know how tto make that happen

                • Tat Loo (CV)

                  A month assisting the cops, a month in the courts, a month as a teachers aid, a month as a ward orderly, a month killing possums for DOC, a month cleaning the toilets in Parliament…

                  • TheContrarian

                    As someone pursuing higher office Tat, I wonder have done the jobs you have listed? From what I have ascertained your a chiropractor and have lived quite comfortably off your in-laws (I’m sorry if that is incorrect – just going from what I remember from previous posts).

                    It’s not that I don’t agree with Collins (I don’t for the record) it’s that even if I did she would unelectable as she lacks warmth and an ability to connect with people.

                  • chris73

                    Not bad, I particularly like the killing possums bit and I’d add in something like 2 years in the military as well (preferably including a deployment) and some farm work wouldn’t be a bad idea either

  21. karol 24

    Rebecca Wright – onya!

  22. gobsmacked 25

    Posted elsewhere, but here it is anyway: latest poll.

    http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/5269-new-zealand-voting-intention-october-2013-201310300521

    Consistent message in all polls bar the Stuff joke: Labour and the Greens ahead overall, but not by much. All to fight for next year.

    • Te Reo Putake 25.1

      Just for fun, I put the Conservative Party in the calculator at 2.5%, with an electorate seat, instead of ACT winning Epsom.. They get 3 seats. Assuming the Maori Party hang on to their 3 seats and Dunne is still an MP, it’s a 60 all draw. Anything less and it’s a progressive Government.

  23. Debbie 26

    Palino looked like a deer in headlights tonight. Surprised he hadn’t already rehearsed his responses a bit better?

  24. Tat Loo (CV) 27

    Had a brief moment featured on TV One tonight, looking after a bright young patient who has some developmental and behavioural challenges.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152021149166663&set=a.10152021151906663.1073741825.693501662&type=1&theater

    • karol 27.1

      Link doesn’t work, Tat. What was the news item?

      • Tat Loo (CV) 27.1.1

        It was the warm family friendly piece on One News tonight – featuring the journey of a young patient of mine, and his family, who have been looking in NZ and around the world for treatment which can help him.

        • karol 27.1.1.1

          Ah. This one – cool

          I use to work with children with those kinds of difficulties.

          • Tat Loo (CV) 27.1.1.1.1

            Yep thanks for finding it karol. I was still in practice when it screened so this is the first chance I’ve had to watch it.

            • karol 27.1.1.1.1.1

              I had acupuncture from my national Health GP in London, for migraines. Needles in the tops of my feet. Hard to know if the migraines retreated because of that, or if they would have done so on their own – but certainly the cluster migraines and full blown migraines generally stopped for a few years after that. Rarely get them these days.

              • Tat Loo (CV)

                Sounds about right. Even if the acupuncture merely acted as a ‘better placebo’ it may have helped trigger the change. (One also has to ask why the pain killers weren’t as good placebos…heh) I’ve had acupuncture myself previously for various things, and I usually find it excellent in combination with chiropractic care.

  25. JOHN BANKS UPDATE:

    First call for a High Court Judicial Review of District Court decision ordering John Banks to stand trial for filing a false electoral return.

    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Judgement-Judge-Gittos-16-Oct-2013.pdf

    As the Solicitor-General has taken over the private prosecution, Banks’ lawyer(s) will be facing Crown Law.

    WHEN: Thursday 31 October 2013
    WHERE: Auckland High Court, Waterloo Quadrant
    TIME: Protest banners outside High Court from 9am
    Court starts 10am.

    http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=176090&fm=newsmain%2Cnup

    Banks to face Crown Law Office
    Solicitor-General Michael Heron’s decision to take over the case against John Banks is being praised by the man who privately prosecuted the MP.

    26 October 2013
    The man who privately prosecuted ACT leader John Banks is praising Solicitor-General Michael Heron for taking over the case.

    Retired accountant Graham McCready succeeded in the District Court and Banks has been ordered to stand trial charged with filing a false electoral return.

    Mr Heron confirmed on Friday he was taking over the case, which means Banks will face the Crown Law Office when he goes to trial – unless he succeeds with a High Court judicial review of the District Court ruling which will be heard on Thursday next week.

    As well as prosecuting the case, the Crown Law Office will defend the judicial review.

    “I’m very pleased, it’s a win not only for myself but for the New Zealand public that a private prosecution can have a defendant committed for trial and then the solicitor-general takes over and puts the full weight of the Crown behind it,” Mr McCready said on Radio New Zealand.

    Mr McCready says the judicial review could mean Banks faces further scrutiny.

    “He has the right to remain silent but if he files an affidavit, as he has probably done, then it is open to the Crown Law Office to call him in and cross-examine him on it,” he said.

    When Banks told media he was seeking a judicial review of the ruling by District Court Judge Phil Gittos, he said it contained a myriad of factual inaccuracies and flawed legal decisions.

    Banks is accused of knowingly signing a false election return for the donations he received for his 2010 Auckland mayoral bid.

    Donations from SkyCity and internet mogul Kim Dotcom were recorded as anonymous.

    The prosecution alleges Banks knew where they came from.

    NZN
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright

  26. rhinocrates 29

    “Omega Speedmaster price” says:

    “I create a”

    …according to google translate.

    I cannot understand what you have written. Please say more. This would help me to understand.

    http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/を創造する

    [karol: reply to spam]

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

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